Saddam’s Followers Raise Bounty for Dead Americans

"The word is the price has quadrupled for doing attacks on U.S. forces," Maj. Gen. Ray Odierno told a news conference on Thursday at his headquarters in Saddam’s hometown, Tikrit.

Rates some weeks ago were about $250 for an attack and $1,000 for a "successful" one, he said: "We believe now that’s gone to about $1,000 and $5,000, something in that area."

U.S. officers accuse middle-ranking members of Saddam’s Baath party and Fedayeen militia movement of funding and arming young men to resist the American occupation of Iraq.

Odierno, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said an aggressive U.S. policy toward these organizers was bearing fruit and fewer Iraqis were willing to take the risk of facing up to the Americans — with a resulting rise in the price.

"I see these somewhat as desperate acts," he said.

He did not believe they were being coordinated by Saddam, who has a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head and who Odierno said was probably moving his hideout several times a day.